Bear in Mind (Paranormal Dating Agency Book 23) Page 3

  Fuck, he better not be involved. She really wanted to go a couple rounds in his sheets. Sparring with him this morning made her feel alive. Her nerves jumped to life at the thought of him in bed. She bet there he would really make her feel alive and tingly and, oh, so wet.

  “Summer, what’s got you smiling and shifting in your seat?” Winter leaned forward from her side of the booth.

  Summer laughed at her choice of words. Shifting was exactly what caused her current squirming. “When I was leaving Gerri Wilder’s apartment, I ran into a man, literally. Win, he’s gorgeous and his smile was blinding, but his ass…”

  Summer groaned. “It was so pinchable and I wanted to take a bite out of it. But he’s visited Gerri every week for months. Maybe she won’t give him what he wants, so he sent someone to break in. He could be a suspect.”

  Winter laughed. “Hot damn! Tell me you got his name, at least. When you clear him, you can jump him right away. Or were you late today because you decided to jump him, suspect or no?”

  Winter’s gaze shot around to see if anyone was listening in.

  Chapter Six

  Summer was used to her twin’s perverted thoughts, but it always brought a smile to her face. No one else got to see this side of her. Generally, she was shy and quiet, unless it came to something she was planning. Then stand back because mama bear was on the prowl. She picked up a chip and threw it at Win. “You wish. I did get his name, though. I need to make sure he’s not involved before the jumping happens.”

  Win had a puzzled look on her face. “It is a bit odd. If he’s been visiting Gerri, wouldn’t she have found his mate by now? Especially if he was that good looking and charming. It’s kind of worrisome. Why is he so hard to match? Or was he not there for matchmaking?”

  Summer took a bite of her cheeseburger and thought about Win’s questions. The thought of anyone being matched with him got her hackles up. Why was she feeling possessive about someone she just met? But she also realized he must be not meeting with Gerri to be matched.

  Paranormal Dating Agency had an amazing reputation and success rate. She knew because she looked into it before contacting Gerri. There was more to his story and she was determined to find out what it was.

  “You made some good points, Winter. Sure you don’t want a job with me? It can be part time between events you plan and host.” Summer laughed knowing Win would never take her up on the offer.

  Winter just laughed and signaled Wolff for the check.

  “Anyway, his name is Quinn Teddy. He’s a bear shifter, so he’s really a teddy bear.” Summer couldn’t stop laughing. She almost felt bad for him, but it was really funny.

  “Summer.” She glanced up from her plate of food to see Winter smiling.

  “Quinn Teddy owns the Beary Comfortable Bed and Breakfast chain,” her sister said. “They are hugely popular. I used them for guests from the Marcina/Lawson wedding last year. Everyone loved the place. I heard the food was amazing!”

  Summer sat back with a smile. Her first real break and it came so easily. She hoped Quinn didn’t mind an uninvited guest for a few days.

  Wolff set the check down and Summer slapped her hand on top, claiming it. “My turn, sis. Deal with it.” She pulled cash from her purse and tossed it on the table. “I’ve got to go. I have a B & B to check into.” Winter’s laugh followed her out the door.

  Chapter Seven

  Quinn pulled up in front of his house and stared at the front door. Some days being alpha was more than he wanted to deal with. He wouldn’t change it, but it could be tiring. Adding to all of this, his dad could only work in the kitchen. Not many knew the elder was the mastermind behind the Bed and Breakfast recipes. He preferred that knowledge didn’t get out.

  His father taught him at an early age how to take care of the bear den and himself. His dad said mate or not, a man should be able to provide for his family and his den without having to rely on anyone else.

  Quinn pushed open his Jeep door and got out. Donovan walked out as he shut the door and climbed the steps. “Hey, Q, I’m sorry to pull you away. He was...is...lucid today. I knew you needed to be here for this, man.”

  “Lucid?” Quinn was shocked and hopeful. “Is he still that way?”

  Donovan nodded and stepped back allowing Quinn to enter the house ahead of him.

  “I sent Reno into town to look around, talk to people.” Quinn nodded but didn’t stop walking. Donovan shut the door and Quinn listened to his footsteps as he followed him into the kitchen. “He didn’t see anyone, but he retraced your dad’s steps and he smelled bears. The scent was familiar. Do you think they really could have been that close?”

  Quinn heard the hope in his best friend’s voice. He was as close to him as a brother. He mourned like Quinn and his father. He grew up on the same stories and searched alongside them for answers. Quinn sank into a chair at the kitchen table. “I don’t know. I hope not. What excuse could they have for not coming back, not even once? To be that close and ignore us, well, that would be too cruel.”

  Quinn’s dad, Anthony, stalked into the kitchen. “Good, you’re home. Listen, I know I’ve been off and slowly fading but today I caught her scent and I swear it all came flooding back to me. I haven’t thought this clearly in years!”

  Donovan poured three cups of coffee, then carried them to the table.

  Quinn pulled out a chair for his father. “Dad, sit. We need to talk. This is the best lead we’ve ever had.” Quinn went back to his chair and nodded a thanks to Donovan for the coffee he set in front of each of them. He waited for his friend and beta to sit.

  “Tell us again about the last time you saw them, please.”

  Anthony’s gaze got distant and Quinn assumed he was lost in his memories. “You were six months old. You were the worst baby, cried all the time, and wouldn’t sleep unless one of us held you. We used to laugh and joke about making a bear schedule. Everyone wanted to see and hold the future alpha twins. We never lacked babysitters.”

  Quinn watched as his father’s eyes twinkled at the memory, then sadness flooded back in.

  “That day, though, you weren’t feeling well. Actually, had a slight temperature. Your mom took Finn into town to get some medicine and I stayed here with you. We didn’t want Finn exposed, you know?” His dad picked up his coffee and took a long sip, then continued speaking. “Anyway, they never came home. We never saw them again. Well, not for sure, at least.”

  Quinn looked at Donovan thinking about the new details they had been given. “Dad, we don’t get sick. We don’t run fevers. Why didn’t you think something was off with me having a fever?”

  Donovan’s chair squeaked as he leaned forward, closer to Anthony.

  Anthony’s forehead creased with lines. Quinn assumed he was concentrating on his memories or working out the puzzle. Suddenly, he looked up and his gaze darted between the two men. “It never occurred to me it wasn’t normal. I know it’s not. Why did we think it was normal? Why, after all this time, did I just recall that detail?”

  Quinn took a sip of his coffee and glanced at his beta. “Do me a favor and find out how and why it would be possible for a shifter baby to run a fever. Something doesn’t add up.”

  Donovan drained his coffee cup and clapped Quinn on the shoulder as he walked out of the room. “Hey, Dad, in the days leading up to my fever and their disappearance, did you see anything out of the ordinary? Hear anything unusual?”

  Anthony sipped his coffee and stared at his son absently. “This is the clearest I’ve been in years. Do you think it’s because she was so close again? But no, I don’t recall anything unusual.”

  Quinn nodded. “One more question. Why didn’t any of Mom’s family come around to see us? Not once after they disappeared?”

  His dad sighed and rubbed his hands down his face. “They never approved of our mating. Their daughter shouldn’t have been mated to the likes of me. They blamed everything on me.”

  Quinn was puzzled what the with the likes
of me comment meant, but before he could ask, his phone rang. A damn robocall.

  His dad jumped and spun around in the chair. “Quinn? When did you get home? Any luck today with that crafty old bat?”

  As fast as it came, Anthony was back to his altered state. It was probably better he didn’t remember what happened that day, but Quinn wasn’t to be that lucky.

  “Yeah, Dad, she agreed to work with us. Even better, I met Barbara Wolfe, the matriarch of Blue Creek. We may get our expansion after all.”

  His father beamed and Quinn wanted to run, tear out of the house and let his bear take over. Even if it only lasted for a few minutes, he needed the uncomplicated life his bear understood. But he would probably head straight for their mate and scare the shit out of her. That was most assuredly the last thing they needed to deal with right then.

  “My son, what are you thinking about? I can hear your bear’s contentment from here.” Anthony chuckled and Quinn realized he was letting out a soft rumbling sound.

  “I met my mate today.”

  Anthony pushed from the table and wrapped his arms around Quinn. “Congratulations, son. Just wait till your mom and brother get home. They aren’t going to believe the good news.” His dad patted his cheek and walked out of the kitchen.

  Quinn was shocked. What in the hell just happened? How did his dad go from completely lucid to slightly addled to delusional that fast? This was a new development and not something they had ever heard of happening before. How could a day that started out so promising end up so bad?

  The next day, Quinn called a meeting of the den elders. Someone had to remember something about the day his mother and twin left. Anything, any event in the days leading up to their disappearance. Maybe someone could help with his father, too. They were amongst the oldest of their kind. They should know if there had ever been anything like this before.

  When everyone had filed into the den’s meeting space, Quinn waited for them all to take a seat before relaying everything from the last twenty-four hours. He told them about his father being lucid, seeing a woman and man he swore were his missing mate and son. He told them about the fever he had the day they left and his father not remembering or realizing it was uncommon for shifters.

  After Quinn finished explaining, he waited to see if anyone had anything to say. Hell, he hoped one of them knew how a shifter could get sick.

  “Alpha, if I may?”

  Quinn smiled at Joseph, one of the clan’s oldest bears.

  “In all my years, I’ve never seen a shifter get sick by natural means.”

  Quinn glanced around as murmurs started up around the group. He rubbed his forehead. “Are you saying that something caused me to be sick? I’m assuming you don’t mean a virus.”

  Joseph cleared his throat. “No, Alpha, that could only be done by black magic or a potion.” The others around the room nodded and Quinn attempted to hide his frustration. Had every bear in his den gone crazy? There was no proof of that kind of magic in their world. He doubted he would get any other information from them that was helpful. But he had two more questions he hoped they could help with.

  “What caused my dad to become...” Quinn struggled for a word to use, “sane after all this time and revert so fast?” From his side, he heard a small voice. Quinn turned and saw Simone smiling at him.

  “Your father was and is a strong alpha. That’s the only thing that has kept him alive all this time. Most would have succumbed to the loss of their mate and given up. But the longer they are apart, the more of a toll it takes on his mind. Having her essence close today was a boost and we had him back for a short time. It didn’t last long enough, of course.”

  Quinn contemplated what he had just learned. Did that mean if his mom came back, his dad would return to normal? Did that mean his mom was in the same mental state as his dad?

  “In the short time Dad was coherent, he said Mom’s family didn’t want her marrying his kind.”

  Joseph stood suddenly and Quinn focused on him.

  “Your mom was a black bear and her family didn’t want her mating a brown bear.” Quinn was stunned. He had assumed his mom was a brown bear like him and Dad. But being a black bear was no different, really, than a brown bear. So why the issue? Was his brother a brown bear or a black bear?

  Chapter Eight

  Summer stood outside the Beary Comfortable Bed and Breakfast, staring at the house in front of her. She wasn’t sure what she expected but this was not it. A white two-story home with a gorgeous garden of flowers and a porch swing. The trim was light blue, and the color popped. She climbed the three steps to the front door and debated what to do. Should she walk right in like a hotel or knock like a private home?

  The front door opened, and Quinn stood there staring at her.

  She gulped. “Uh, hi?”

  Quinn smiled and Summer’s stomach flipped.

  “You found me, huh? Come on inside. No reason to stand out there.”

  Summer stepped in as soon as Quinn stepped back. She looked around the lobby area, impressed by the warm decor.

  “I’ll give you the grand tour if you tell me how you found me and why you’re here.” Quinn stepped close to her and she closed her eyes for a second to enjoy his body heat engulfing hers. She placed her hands on his chest and pushed lightly.

  “I’m a private investigator. It’s what I do and I’m here to check in for my stay.” She smiled at him and walked to the desk with a sign reading Check-In. “Are you checking me in or am I waiting for someone else?”

  Quinn chuckled and walked around the desk. “Of course, ma’am. Pardon my rudeness. How long are you staying?”

  Wow, two can play this game, Mr. Teddy Bear. “I don’t know yet, sir. I have some business to take care of and this seemed the best place to get that done.”

  Quinn turned to the computer monitor. “We can accommodate your stay as long as you need it. I even have a special room ready for you.”

  Summer groaned; she really wanted that room to be his or one he would be in. She had to talk her hormones down, or she was going to tackle him as soon as they got near a bed.

  “I appreciate you fitting me in on such short notice, Mr. Teddy Bear. I know you book up weeks, if not months in advance. I find being close to business helps things move along quickly.”

  Summer grinned and waited to see how he would respond to her veiled quip.

  “Let me show you to your room. I’m sure we have a few things to discuss. The sooner we get this business cleared up, the sooner we can move on to much more pleasurable activities.”

  Summer shivered at the heat in his tone. His golden eyes devoured her and she had to catch her breath. Quinn walked around the desk and stopped in front of her again. “Did you bring any luggage, ma’am? I’m happy to carry it up for you. A perk for a very special guest.”

  Quinn stood close enough she could feel her breasts lightly rub against his shirt as she took deep breaths. “I’ll grab them later, thank you. I’d like to see my room if you don’t mind.”

  He stepped back and turned to the stairs. Summer groaned again as she watched his ass move. The stairs were going to test her resolve, that fine ass in those tight jeans at eye level. Oh yeah, she was in deep shit. She had to clear him of suspicion quickly.

  “So, Mr. Teddy Bear, owner of the Beary Comfortable Bed and Breakfast, why do you visit Gerri Wilder weekly?”

  Quinn glanced back at her and she quickly looked up, hoping he hadn’t caught her staring at his ass.

  “If I answer that, you might leave, and I’m not ready to watch you walk away. Though, like you, I may enjoy the view.” Quinn turned and Summer’s cheeks flamed.

  She wanted to believe he was not involved, but it was so odd. Was her need to see him cleared of suspicion because of her desire to see him in bed? Naked? She shook her head to clear the mental images those thoughts caused.

  “Quinn, please tell me why you visit her every week. Someone broke into her apartment and it’s my job to f
ind out why.” She heard him sigh and watched as he paused and leaned against the stairway wall.

  “I have a proposition for you. I’ll tell you what you want to know if you help me with a problem I have.” Quinn cocked an eyebrow at her for a moment, then resumed his tread up the stairs.

  When they reached the top, he walked by three doors and then stopped at the last one on the end.

  “This is the suite reserved for only the most special guests. I hope you’re comfortable here.”

  Quinn unlocked and pushed open the door then stepped aside for her to go in first. She took a few steps in and froze in place. It was a dream bedroom. A four-poster bed with a thick comforter, big pillows, and drapes hanging around the sides of the bed.

  To one side of the bed was a couch and recliner with a coffee table in front of them. The cushions looked soft and inviting. Across the room she could see into the bathroom and noted what appeared to be a large tub. She was in heaven and may never leave that room.

  Summer glanced at Quinn standing in the doorway. “Are you busy or can we sit and talk for a few minutes. I would like some information on what you need help with before I agree to your deal.” She sat on the sofa, turned slightly so she could see him when he sat.

  Quinn shut the door and walked over to the couch. “I don’t want the other guests listening in on our conversation.”

  Summer nodded and swallowed. Privacy for a conversation was good, but she had to keep her hands to herself. “Sure, makes sense to me. I promise anything you say will be held in confidence.”

  Quinn sat and glanced around the room. Summer waited patiently for him to explain.

  “When I was six months old, I became ill with a fever. My mother took my twin brother into town to get some medicine for me. They never came back and were never heard from again.”

  Chapter Nine

  Summer gasped and her eyes filled with tears. She couldn’t imagine not having her twin with her all the time. It was an unexplainable bond.